You can add this to the reasons why I LOVE Alaska!

Hi Internet,

I just finished making some Christmas Candies. Yum and the family is all here, YAY! I need to post an update, so in the meantime, please enjoy this Youtube gem.

The Christmas Spirit

Hi Internet.

I found this online today and it really helped me remember why we celebrate Christmas.

I hope we can each find meaningful ways to invite the spirit of Christ into our Holiday season. If you would like more information, please don't hesitate to ask or go here.

For, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11

This Inspired me today...

Hi Internet,

I found this tonight and I think it's changing my life.

I'm working on my list, I'll post it later. What would you do???

I'll admit, I might have a problem

Hey Internet,

Finals are almost over! And the Kindies LOVED the decorations!

So, I'm a little T'd. You see, I am obsessed with Hallmark Movies. I LOVE them! They're always happy and the dog always comes back and the couple always falls in love. My favorite things.

Well, this movie recently came out on DVD and I REALLY want to see it.


BUT it is ALWAYS rented from Redbox and it's been #1 on my Netflix Queue for almost a month and I can't get a copy. Sheesh. I'm gonna need a Christmas miracle just to watch the dang show! Haha!

You know what I love more than Hallmark movies??? The commercials they play during the movie. Ahhh. Grab the tissue. Love them. This is one of my faves. Enjoy!

Must be Santa!

Hi Internet! Happy 3 more classes 'til semester is OVER!

So, have I told you lately I LOVE my job?

Cause I do.

I attended the Elementary School Band and Orchestra concert. Ah, the memories. I'll have to be honest, it was a bit painful. Apologies to anyone who I made come listen to my Christmas Concerts for 9 years. :) I love how they play the same songs each year. I love the little saxophone player who puffs his cheeks on every note and the little flutes on the front row counting their rest measures out loud. I love how the band kids whisper to each other about how they sounded SOOOO much better than the orchestra and vice versa. I love how those little guys think they sounded SO AWESOME on Jolly Old St. Nicholas. Good Times!

This wasn't from today, I found it on the internet. I'll try to find some pics of my band days... CLASSY!

Speaking of classy...

Tonight our classroom looked a little like this. Oh, and we have a tree and about a bazillion more lights. Pretty sure that if the Fire Marshall came in he'd shut us down... Scrooge! But isn't it beautiful??

Well, I just realized this picture really doesn't do it justice. I'll post a better one. I can't wait to see their little faces! Oh, but the best part, look who did all the decorations!!

Man, The Big S and I have verrry similar handwriting. Weird!

If this doesn't put you in the Holiday Spirit your heart is made of stone!

Hi Internet!

It's Christmas time! I love Christmas, but I'll save that for another post... Today I was super crafty and made 6 Christmas presents for less than $4 each! Pretty impressive, if I do say so myself. They're not quite done yet, but don't you worry, I will be posting pics soon.

Now, as many of you know I am an avid Mariah Carey fan and have been since 1995. Well, I'm all sorts of obsessed with her new Christmas CD! Special thanks to my friend Courtney who sent it to me! It's Christmas AND Ghetto. My two favorite things!

This song is probably my fave.

I'm telling you, if this doesn't get you in the Holiday spirit... nothing will. And I'm afraid we can no longer be friends. (Jokes! But I really do love this song.)

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have finals to study for. Oh, have I mentioned I'm kicking this semester's trash? Cause I SO am!

Enjoy!

Today I am Thankful for...

Hot Chocolate ▫ Mom+Dad ▫ The Atonement ▫ Music ▫ Temples ▫ Nate ▫ Musicals ▫ Eternal Families ▫ Relief Society ▫ Pictures ▫ Austin ▫ Center Brownies ▫ Perfume Bottles ▫ Cell Phones ▫ The RAV ▫ Movies ▫ Great Friends ▫ Stirrup Pants ▫ Chicklettes ▫ Cousins ▫ Scriptures ▫ Past Roommates ▫ Amazing Bedding ▫ Snow ▫ Midnight Sun ▫ Amanda ▫ Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream ▫ Plan of Salvation ▫ Snowmen ▫ Aubrey ▫ Covenants ▫ Trials ▫ Aunts and Uncles ▫ Grandparents ▫ Sophie ▫ Living Prophets ▫ Scriptures ▫ Word of Wisdom ▫ Christmas Lights ▫ Tithing ▫ Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ ▫ Kindergarten ▫ Levi ▫ Teacher Steph ▫ University ▫ Right to Vote ▫ Day Planner ▫ iPods ▫ Glasses ▫ High Heels ▫ Therapists ▫ Medicine ▫ Prayer ▫ 2^nd Cousins ▫ Toothbrushes ▫ Unanswered Prayers ▫ America ▫ Fairbanks ▫ Throw Pillows ▫ Missionaries ▫ Jesus Christ ▫ Patriarchal Blessings ▫ EFY ▫ Glee ▫ Joseph Smith ▫ Mashed Potatoes ▫ Chocolate ▫ Hot Showers ▫ Internet ▫ Babies ▫ Rainy Days ▫ Visiting Teaching ▫ College Experiences ▫ Raspberry Lemonade ▫ The Wizard of Oz ▫ Alaska ▫ Having a Job ▫ Turquoise ▫ Chocolate+Peanut Butter▫ Bonfires ▫ Dishwashers ▫ Sleeping in ▫ Blogging ▫ Books ▫ Dance Parties ▫ Snuggling ▫ Porch Swings ▫ Fireworks ▫ Drive-ins ▫ Stars ▫ Chi ▫ Band ▫ Pedicures ▫ Airplanes ▫ Orchids ▫ laughs▫

What are YOU Thankful for today?

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Search is OVER!

Internet!

I found the person who should play me in my made for TV movie!



Buwahahahahahahahaha! 3:39 TOTALLY me, no???

Lucky Lunde!

Hey Internet!

Still enjoying my first Snow-Day Week. I can't believe I've lived in Alaska my whole life and I have never realized the joy that is a snow day! And while we're on the topic of joy... it seems only appropriate that on the day of my friend Joni's (Like the boys name) Birth that she get a blog shout out!

So, I give to you, The pictorial salute to Joni!

Joni is always up for an adventure. Playing with Walkie-Talkies, Sledding and crawling back up the mountain, Making RIP Heath Ledger Signs, random stalker drive-bys. Good Times!



She's the only person I know who claims MO as their home state!


She always has amazing glasses!



She's perhaps the most patient person I know. I know this only because I watched her care for the most needy wisdom teeth patient, ever. ;) Even when her patient thought Joni was drugging her. Haha!



Joni is all about creative thinking. When we couldn't push our giant snowball any further Joni decided to think outside the box and push with her legs!



Happy Birthday Joni-Girl!

My Very First Snowday!

Hi Internet!

So, as you know I pride myself on being a resident of the 907. And one of my bragging rights was that I have never had school canceled because of weather. For reals. Snow, -50*F never stopped us from going to school, and I can't WAIT to tell my kids about walking to school uphill, both ways barefoot. Until today.

Freezing rain= SUPER slick roads, so no school on account of weather!

Here is the view from my bedroom.


Truth be told, I'm a bit excited about the weather cause

A. My presentation scheduled for today was postponed until Wednesday.
B. I got to sleep in.
C. I don't have to work tomorrow!
D. I get to stay home, wear my Pajamas and watch Movies!

Bring it Freezing Rain!

Oh, and while I am blogging. A special Birthday Shout-out to my Mom and Brother Nate! Yep. They share a birthday! Happy Birthday, love you both!

I Needed This Today

Hey Internet,

Apologies for my absence. The semester is almost over. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! :)

So, I've been reading this fabulous quote on my sister's calendar all month and it seemed selfish not to share.

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.”

Helen Keller

Profound.
Life changing.

I really feel like this goes right along with what I've been working on in myself. Being happy with the here and now.
I love it!

Have a great week!

In case you were wondering...

Hi Internet.

Just thought you would like to know that I am a little bit in love with Daylight-Saving Time.

I can snooze for an hour and STILL wake up at the same time! Holla!


Happy Snoozing!

I got this in the mail today....

Happy Friday Internet!

Only 3 weeks until my favorite holiday! So, I got this in the mail today and I'm thinking there was some sort of a mix-up....



I crossed out my address (Cause LBH the internet is a scary place) but tried to leave the 1st letter of my name so you can see that it IS addressed to me.

It's an AARP card! Last time I checked I was 26 not 62.... Sheesh!

A few things I would tell my 18 year old self...

Internet!

Guess what?! This is my 150th post! Woo Hoo! I've decided when I get to 200 posts I will do something fantastic like a giveaway... so stay tuned!

So, I went to lunch with a friend this week and we were talking about life and how it seldom turns out how you want it to, but almost always how you NEED it to. Which got me to thinking about my life. I don't think I would change anything in my life, but maybe if I could just go back in time, I would pass on some wisdom I have learned to my 18 year old self....



*Play hard, but don't let your grades suffer. This college thing is costing you a pretty penny. You'll thank me 8 years from now when you decide to go back to school. But, have fun! Freshman year of college will be filled with wonderful memories and amazing friends, you won't be the person you need to be without those friends.

*Pick a dang major and stick with it. And quit switching schools and loosing all your credits.

*Put on some make-up, you look homely without it.

*And while we're on the topic, those blond highlights will be a bad idea.

*Just because you go on a date with a boy doesn't mean you're getting married. hahaha. Oh, if only I knew now what I knew then. Man, I was certain that I would be married by the time I was 21. That obviously didn't happen. :) There's nothing wrong with you just because you don't marry the boy from Junior year. You'll survive.

*Be happy with what you have right now. I've realized this week that I'm happier than I've been in a long time. I'm still single, broke and going back to school. But what I'm realizing is that I'm finding happiness IN my circumstances, not outside of them. I CAN be happy and single. I have found the more I involve myself in service, the happier I am. The less I focus on what I don't have the more I am able to focus on the blessings that I do have.

So, dear 18 year old Me, your little plan of being graduated and married and a mother by the time you're 24 may not happen, but I can tell you this.... Your life is pretty great!

It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown!

Happy Halloween Internet!

Just thought I'd let you see how the fam rocked Halloween this year. Special Thanks to Aunt Jessie and mom for their amazing talents!

Think we went overboard?



The Northwestern from "Deadliest Catch"



A close up of the crab pots



A Bath Loofa and her faithful sidekick!



A Wii Remote!



She volunteered to clean a spot on the remote with her loofa. haha



Group shot!

That's me. Sue Sylvester from Glee, in between the Controller and the Loofa, behind the Northwestern!

Happy Halloween!!

HELP!

Hi internet,

Greetings from the campus library. Really should be writing my essay on cultural changes in Kaktovik, Alaska.... but I'm not.

I have a really great 1st paragraph written if anyone would like to write the last 2.5 pages for me... Eh? Eh???

Just thought you would like to know.

Plan Kick Trash!

Happy Weekend Internet!

What a long week. ugh.

So, I was reading this blog that I follow and it got me to thinking...

Tonight there was a fantastic cultural event held where I live. The tickets were quite reasonably priced. ($5 per person.) The show was amazing! Methinks a perfect opportunity to summon up some courage and ask a lady on a date. (Asking on dates is a boy job. Yes, I have no problem with Gender Roles. You ask me out because you're a man and that's what men do.) And LBH where else are you going to find a date that costs less than $10???

So, I'm at the event with my family, because apparently I am un-datable... and I see all these fly ladies at the performance, STAG. And then, I see all the fellas, STAG. Is it just me or is this a issue?

It seems that in our culture you can't just go on a date with someone. Because by going on a date that signifies that you want to have their babies or you need to buy a ring.

This is false.

It's a date.

And furthermore, I'm tired of watching the guys I know ask out the same 5 girls. I know so many amazing women. Women with talent, humor, education and ability. And these are not the girls being taken on dates. This blows my mind. I'm thinking go big or go home, right???

Here's what I say.

Ladies: Quit throwing yourselves at boys who don't deserve you. Live your life. All too often women feel it's either plan A. Be a wife and a mother, or Plan B. Have a career. I say, have a fantastic plan! Live! Become a better person. Live, serve, learn and grow and when the time is right, things will work out for marriage, and in the meantime you will have become an amazing person.

Fellas: Put on your brave pants and ask out a girl with substance. And be someone worth investing in. Be motivated in our career and education and life in general. Cut your hair, put on some clean clothes and go on a date. Just because a girl says yes doesn't mean she's getting towels monogrammed with your name on them. It means she wants to get to know you.

You are welcome in advance.

What we do at Recess

Hi Internet,

Have I told you lately I love my job??



Miley's got NOTHING on these ladies! :)

Happy Birthday to my friend formerly known as Kristel!

Man Internet,

This week is jam packed with birthdays! And today is no exception! Remember my friend Kristel? Today just so happens to be her birthday! And I felt that the most appropriate way to celebrate the birth of such a classy broad was to tell a few stories about how this lady has changed my life.



It all started with a brown dress...

One day at church, I was wearing my brown wrap dress, minding my own business and I felt like someone was talking about me... but I ignored the idea. Then, after the meeting I stood up and overheard "Oh my gosh! It looks even better when she's standing up!" I turned around and a short little Mexican looked at me and said "yes, we're talking about your dress, it's fabulous!" And from then on, we've been friends!

***

Kristel introduced me to Heels (cause short people HAVE to have them) and My So Called Life (I like to think that she is RayAnne to my Angela).

***

She encouraged me to become a better person, because it was 200-great and we were "trying to be like Jesus."

***
She is perhaps the most fantastic person to be around when she has her wisdom teeth pulled. Even if they took her hat off and "did her dirty."

***

Every time we drove together it was a near fatal accident.

***
And perhaps the most important thing I learned from Kristel, was how to be confident, to not worry about what other people say or do and just be yourself.




Yep. Pretty sure my life has been forever changed since I wore my brown dress!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Kristel and thanks for being you!!